Chicken-feeder.



M. E. STRICKLER.

CHICKEN FEEDER.

AIPLIOATION FILED MAY 19, 1913,

1,108,01 9. Patented Aug. 18, 19m

lhvent r r' J I Attorneys UNITED s'rAr s aTENT OFFICE.

MARY E. STRICKLER. OF MEADVILLE. MISSOURI.

CHICKEN-FEEDER.

To a 'il'lmm it IIH/Q/ concern Be it known that I, MARY E. S'lRHKLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Meadville. in the county of Linn and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Chicken-Feeder, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to a novel and improved chicken feeder and aims to provide a device of that character so constructed that the feed may be eaten therefrom by the. chickens, the feed being supplied automatically as it is removed.

Another object of the present invention is 5 to provide a device of the nature indicated which shall be adjustable to accommodate various sizes of chickens.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel and improved means for applying a disinfectantor insecticide to the chickens as they introduce their heads into the device for eating the feed tl1erefrom.

It is also within the scope of the invention to improve generally the construction and utility of devices of that character to which the present invention relates. in order that the device may he simple. substantial and inexpensive in construction, as well as serviceable, convenient, and etiicient in its use.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will be apparent. asthe description proceeds, the present invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention can be made within the scope of What is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment. in the nct'onipairviug drawing, wherein z- Figure l is a side elevation of the feeder. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section thercot. Fig. 3 is a fragment'al detail.

In carrying out the present invention. reh crence being had in detail to the drawing. there is provided a cylindrical case. which may be ot" any suitable dinn-nsions or bro portions. according to the (ll('lllll. t:llll't'. and which is provided with the conical bottom 2. in order that. the central portion ot the bottom will be raised so as to deliver the feed down to the peripheral portions Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 19, 1913.

Serial No. 768.645.

of the bottom. The case i is provided with the circumferential series of openings ad joining the bottom through which the chickens may introduce their heads, the case 1 being provided with a circumferentialseries of smaller openings or apertures 4 above the openings 3 to admitlight and air. The case is also provided with a suitable cover 5, which may be removed.

A hopper 6 is disposed within the case. 1,"

the upper end or mouth of the hopper fitting snugly within the upper end of the ease, and the lower end or delivery opening of the hopper being disposed directly above, but. spaced slightly from. the apex or central portion of the bottom 2. so as to hrovide the annular opening 1' leading from the hopper to the space directly above the bottom The hopper 6 is adapted to be filled with suitable grain or other feed, by removing the cover or top 5.

-.\n annular member or shutter 8 is disposed snugly within the case 1 adjoining the openings 3, and is provided with a circumferential series of openings 9 complementing the respective openings 3. The annular shutter 8 is provided with outwardly projecting lugs 10 engaging in inclined slots 11 provided in the case 1, in order that when the shutter 8 is turned, the. same will be shifted vertically. In this manner, by rotating the shutter. the openings 3 may be closed more or less, so as to accommodate various sizes of chicks or chickens.

in order to apply the disinfectant or insecticide to the heads of the chickens, a. ring l2 is secured \vithintheshutter 8 directly a ove the openings 5), and provides an annular disinfectant channel [3 with the upper edge portion of the annular member or shutter 8 adapted to hold the disinfectant or insecticide. The inner wall 12 of the disint'e lant channel is provided with apertures above the altlt. edges of the openings 9, and a wick or absorbent element H- is threaded through the said apertures into and out of the channel so that the exposed portions of the wick sag or hang between the side edges of the openings .i and below the upper ends thereof. 'lhosc pt lllUIlH of the wick 14 ithin the channel t l are designed to carry the disinfectant or insecticide to the exported portions Mlfltl'illg or hanging below the inppcr end ol the openings. the disinfectant bclng ted. as needed, to the exposed portions ol the wick ll.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

In use, the feed within the hopper 3 is adapted to trickle through the opening 7 and down the bottom 2 where it may be readily reached by the chickens. the openings 3 being such as to admit. the heads of the chickens only, and being of such proportions as to permit. the chickens to readily eat the feed from the bottom 2. The feed is automatically delivered to the bottom 2. as the feed is removed from the bottom, and the *asting of the feed is thus eliminated.

By rotating the shutter S. the sizes of the openings 3 may be adjusted. so as to zirconimodate various sizes of chickens. and in this manner, the openings may be rediu'ed to a size to admit the heads of chicksonly. the larger chickens beii'ig excluded, which is desirable for raising or rearing" small chickens.

\Vhen the chickens introduce their heads into the openings 3 and 9. their heads will brush against or contact with the exposed portions of the wick 14. and as a result, the disinfectant or insecticide will be applied to the heads of the chickens. thus facilitating 'the destruction of head louse, and other other adnintagcs which will be apparent. render the present device an etlicient one.

lVhat is claimed as new is 1. In a device of the character described. a member having a plurality of openings therein, and a disinfectant channel disposed directly over the openings, one wall of the channel having apertures above the side edges oi. the openings, and a wick threaded through the said apertures into and out ol the channel and having its exposed portions sagging between the side edges of the said openings and below the upper ends thereof. 2. In a device of the character described. a cylindrical case. an tltljllSttllJlQ annular i member disposed snugly therein and having a circumferential series of openings, the case having openings complementing the aforesaid openings. a ring secured within the annular member above the openings therein and toru'iing a disinfectant channel with the upper edge portion of the annular member. above the side edges of the openings in the annular member. and a wick threaded through the said apertures into and out of the channel and ha ving it; exposed portions sagging between the side edges of the openings in the said nnular member and below the upper ends of the said openings.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing as my own. 1 have heretoatlixed my signature in the presence ol' lwd witnesses.

MARY l5. S'lRlCKLldli.

\Vitnesses:

(j. E. DIUKSON, \V. L. 'lfn'anr.

the said ring having apertures 

